Chip cell and access mechanism



Jan. 26, 1965 J. M. HARKER ETAL 3,167,216

CHIP CELL AND ACCESS MECHANISM Filed Oct. 28, 1963 FIG.5

| l I I I I I l I I I 1 I 1 I I I INVENTORS JOHN MHARKER DONALD D. LAINE BY JOHN J. LYNOTT ATTORNEY port.

3,167,216 CHIP CELL AND ACCESS MECHANISM l John M. Harker, Palo Alto, Donald D. Laine, Redondo Beach, and John J. Lynott, Los Gatos, Cah'f., assignors to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 319,395 9 Claims. (Cl. 221-88) This invention relates to information storage systems in general and more particularly to information storage systems wherein the basic storage media is a discrete record member, a number of which are stored in cells for transport to and from a remote access station.

On one end of the spectrum of information storage systems is the rapid access, high cost per information unit system, while on the other end of the spectrum is the 1 type of system wherein rapid access rates are traded for I larger and less expensive storage capabilities.

it is with this latter type of large storage capacity system that the present invention is concerned. While the cell and access mechanism to be hereinafter described can be used in either 'a magnetic data or image data application, it will be described in an image storage application. Special problems are encountered in an image storage and retrieval system which are not encountered in a system wherein only magnetic data is stored on chips. Thus, for

instance, dust or other similar type particles, while being undesirable in a magnetic storage system, cannot be tolerated in an image storage system wherein images are sto red'in greatly reduced size and are then blown up at alater time for retrieval. Likewise, due to the relative softness of the emulsion, scratching is a major problem.

One prior art discretefilm chip system avoided emulselection had to be madeto access the desired chip from the cell; Moreover, the accessing head had to the quite narrow to prevent damagingv adjacent chips.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to V provide'a novel data chip cell and access mechanism;

Another object .of the present invention is to provide a 'chip storage system wherein in one embodiment the chips are-stored in intimate contact with spacers to alleviate dust and emulsion damage problems while providing a high storage density cell.

' Another object of the present invention is to provide a chip cell and access mechanisrn'wherein the data chips, eitherphotosensitive or magnetic, areair cleaned; during accessing."

Another: object of the present invention is to provide 'a' chip cell and access mechanism wherein the data chips,

either photosensitive of magnetic, are air cleaned during accessing.

'Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide a chip cell which is rigid and capable of pneumatic trans- Another object ofthepresent invention is to provide cessing head. i

Another object of the present, invention is to provide a, chip cell and accessmechanism wherein film chips storage v the chip cell, as shown in the figures, comprises two sideachip cell and accessing combination wherein any one of the data chips contained in the cell may beaccessed fiwithout Vernier positioning of either the chip cell or ac- 3,167,216 Patenteddan. 26, 1965 2 arestored in cells and are separated by thin, soft, nonabrasive spacers which, during accessing, are lubricated by an air bearing to prevent emulsion abrasion.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more. particular.

description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1a is a frontal view of a chip cell;

FIG. 1b is a top view of a chip cell illustrating the arrangement of chips and tabbed spacers;

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway perspective of a chip cell containing chips and tabbed spacers;

FIG. 3 is a section illustrating the first step of accessing a selected chip by the access mechanism; I

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the access mechanism during accessing of a selected chip; and

FIG. 5 is a top view of FIG. 4 without the picking head.

Briefly, in the preferred embodiment, a sandwich clipboard type cell is spring-loaded shut to hold a plurality of film chips and tabbed spacers. The cell can be opened either by squeezing the bottom or by spreading the top. A pinch roller access slot is provided in each of two side plates of the cell. In selecting a particular chip to be accessed by a picker head having a fixed picking axis,

extremity to open it. Tab Spreaders are next utilized to isolate the desired chip. .An air stream is then played onto the selected chip which not only provides an air bearing for removal of the selected chip, but, additionally,

centers the upper extremityiof the selected chip on the picking axis of the picker head. Thus, the picker head l may remain fixed with respect to they p'ackfwhile pickingv any chip in the pack. In replacing an accessed chip, the

reverse of the above sequence is followed.

In FIG. 1a is shown a frontal view of the chip cell designated generally at 1. In the preferred embodiment,

members} and 3 eachhaving an integral'overlapping end portion to enclose the chips and associated spacers .on

both sides and both ends as viewed from above as in F143.

The side members 2 and 3have a pinch slot 5 therein and, as 'best shown in FIG. 2, there is a chip and spacer supportmember ,6 at the lower extremity of the. cell 1.. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a spring member 7 extending across the width of the cell to which are fixedly attached the side members 2 and 3' such that the cell can be opened by pinching the lower extremity or spreading the upper extremity thereof. Thus, the side members2 and 3 are pivotally associated at the lower extremity of the cell 1.

As heretofore mentioned, each of the spacer members 4 has a tab in. Between the spacer members 4 are located film chips 8 which in the hereinafter described application will be assumed to have a photographic emulsion thereon.

The chips 8 are accessed by a picking head generally designated at 9 which grasps the selected chip as illustrated in FIG. 4 when it has been isolated and positioned on the picking axis 10. The picking mechanism and chip configuration may be of anyof several types. However, the picking mechanism configuration and chip configuration actually used in the subject system is that described in co-pending application, Serial No. 205,999, by Clyde C. Roshon, entitled Film Strip or Chip Picking Mechanism, assigned to the assignee of the subject applica- 1 tion.

' FIG 813,4 is shown a section of the cellpwhilelocat- V fitvivas in-jthe centerof the pack or on on ed in the accessing mechanism as viewed from'the front; 7. fixed-picking axisw'can be 'u'tiliz'ed without a Vernier ad- In FIGS. 3 and 4. the chip cell islshown positioned in the" 'justme'ntv after therjpafckhas'fbeen': presented to the acaccessir xg mechanism resting on asupport ledge 11;; of cessin'g'}mechanism; The air jetsjfitl and '31; not only frame member 11. Pivotallyjattached toframe member" l serve to center the desired chip onthepicking taxis, but,

de. Thi is, a v

11 are two pinch'roller arms 12'andi1 2rwhich are pivotedadditionally-Abe: air a'ctsfas aib'earing such-that upon re- 7 at points Hand 15, respectively. I Pinch rollers" 16 and 17 1 "turn" or removal; the emulsion ofthe chip 8 is not damare rotatably conneete'dflto pinch roller arms 12 and13 aged," I V at points 18 and 19,respectively.' {Connected to"the;i1p-j g} Tl'ie'reverse ofc'eurs during a chipretu'rn cycle; Thus; a per extremity 10f frame member ll'are two'fsidemember cell is inserted'with rollers 16:2!I1d-17 retracted, then stops 120 and 21 which are engaged by sides 3 arid 2,' r ethe rollers are extendedl through the j pinch slots 5 and.

spectively, when thecell is pinched (by meansnotshown) 5a. The lower? extremity of the-1 cell is pinched. The

adjacent its lowe'r extremities asivshowh' rat arrows' 22 and tab Spreaders thenare rotated'to provide a chip'slo t. The

' hydraulic pistons may be utilized. i

j pending applicatiom -Serial No.-.793.,'542, buy-J Qedde j stated 'eachiofithe chips i'sjisepar atediby a tabbed 7 p v The t'abs' 4a are farranged' as djel'iicted iriIIEIGf'lb 1 rich i that selective spreading of two "adjacent tahsi will pro port; 'ledger Iliapon frame member 1 K I arrives gat the-accessing. mechanism, pinchfirolleraarms' J12'and' 13 are in .theposition as-shown in 131G1 4 such th 23 f hel w r" x re v fth ippenl s chfthin a sh wn ih FIG; 4, the sidesof the-cell open; However,. 1 magnet c ",slotsf s' and 5a,fthe packf is held rigideven throu gh the Vtact with the selected'tabs, the pinch roller arms lzj ahd 13 are'thenpivoteddownward thereby releasingjhe' 'packj allowing the tab spreader's by a'ction'on' the tabs toi push? the spacers andfilm 'chip s apart asshown ir 1 FIG. 4 "Th Erector air. jets 30" and 31 are then ener gizedfto' force a.

centered on the picking axis re'gardless of flwhether r'not y table p g mans such as solenoids :01: J 'airrblast is turned on andthe chip'is inserted gbyj the 5 pickerhead f 9; The pickerhead then l ret'racts'and the vSecureditof'tabspread drivei' ds Ztarid 25E-are' ,tab t tabTspreziders'ZG and 27, are: rot ated out of, contact with,

' spreaders'26 and 2 7 havingintegraltab spreader fingers 1 the, tabs 4a. Theirollers l6 and- ,17; "are then retracted 26a1-and 27af suchi that uponjrotation of thetab spread j. and pressure is removed from the lowerextremity of the V drive rod s, the;tab. spread fingers 26a and 27a wiircome, 'cellsuchgthat the spring? causes the e sides 2 and 3 as will hereinafter be" more :fully described;

in contact :withl'two vselected tabs 4a o'h the 's gcers g; gq -"ofithe cellto clqsegon the chip and spacer pack,

5 7 While 5 the preferred embodiment the invention has As best shown iii FIG. 5 ,"the t1ab spreaddrive rods ,beenjdesfc'ribed inanimag'estorage and'retrieval applica-,

are movable bynieans not shown' in the. direction jof 1 are I a magnetic. Jdatt} storage appI iCati nL'QI -In amagnetic data storage ap-;

rows 28 and 29, such thatthe fingers lfia and hu an; plicatioihjsince the i oxidelcoatingsare normally notleasily;

be positionedvtransversely of the ',ce1ladja ceritaseleeted; j damaged, )the s ace s-in thez'pa'c kwould be: eliminated tabs. Upon rotation of'the tab-spread drive rods] V lected chip 8 as shownin-FIGSQ4' and ';5, 1i1aybe isoff}: would provide; latedw A jmore complete descriptio n' of the tab' spreade'rs 1' :Q-I h fsummar" 26"and27 and tab typefmembersl4 is contained i'nf-a 0- f entitled Data Storage :Aecess Mechanisin} f can be jopned fie1the'r;;by'- squeezingfthe -bottom or by the a's'signee of-the subject inventioilL/f In operatioma closed cellfhaving'film' chips 5 p I to p be selectively j-a'ccessed, fi s v:gilivereda bymeans riot shown to, "the accessing! mechanism; As""pre3 liously' to hold the chips and V videaccess to a desired, chip 8fstored= therebet jThei Q :spa'cer's rigid, he cell1s thenpinchedat the'lowepexq 1 fully-loadedcel1"rests,@as shown in F1 '3 onsa;'clellsup-l ab sp feaders2 fi 2t7y' re; 6

W Te L he feel;

the *cell may" be receivedlfinthe 1' accessing; mechanisms lowed 7 r t will whose-skilled iiijt'hei' that tion, .stri p" due to therpressureof rollers jlfiand;17"through;the,pinch t F sides; 1am are ,no longerSi P fl -Vitg 1 Thef tib j that' thehiair jets'lperform .atriple furiction nno beaccessed vt picking g s12 approximate y ddiible the storage? density is provided in r T 'zf 3, h wn: zth u'r s;a fnsufi the'cell-asdistinguishedfromthose'confighrations wherein cient length such that the tabsf4a are fullyp'roteete' d:yyhen 7 and thettabs placedflrre tly onthechips. This of course,

c'n 'cli boa'i type en is's'prihg-loadedr shut tohold av urality{ of film ;ch'pst 8j and tabbed spacers *4. The. cell and'il iil' are jiil V i paclc "while picking-5ahy chip11n' the .pack-.,. 1 In replaqing;

'an acces'sed chip the reverse of the abcv V sequenceis folchipsis I cleaned; as they are replaced g and I retracted suchj dditionallygi side's-2 andSwerehotopen. Ii 7 Aftervthe tab spread drive rods 24s and125 hay'e'been positioned transversely of the pack-to .two*se1ectfed tabs '65 a I r s an; rotatedf such that tht y are broughfiinto Pressure 00 1- 1 dust other 'slm'llar the cell selected chip 8 is thereby ,is olatedffor pickir g purp'o through the, chip; pack;,. his air-"causesythe jchip e "5111 heretofore described ce1l,'*the. spacers andfoverlappingi end lfmembers ah'di'along the. spring aaction' which' holds' the chips and. spacers-tightly, entrance.

rther recognized those inthfeert areretaine by f riction that" skewcrs'itnay be utilizedto hold the spacers. Additionally, it will be recognized that the tab spreaders may in an alternate configuration be replacedby air jets which selectively play on the tabs to provide a spreading action such that pneumatic logic can be used.

may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a data storage and retrieval system wherein information is stored on data chips which are contained in a plurality of cells which may be selectively transported to an input/ output terminal such that a desired data chip may be positioned on a fixed access plane, the combination comprising:

a cell including two side members pivotally associated at one extremity thereof,

- a ,deck containing a plurality of data chips separated by tabbed spacers in said cell,

7 means for biasing said side members of said cell such that said data chips and tabbed-spacers are fixedly ,held thereby,

means for spreading said side members such that said i data chips and tabbed spacers are released;

means operable to hold said datav chips and tabbed spacers after said members are spread,

. means operable on said tabbed spacers to isolate a selected data chip, and

means for positioning one extremity of said selected data chip on said access plane.

2. In a data storage and retrieval system wherein inaplurality of cells which may be selectively transported I i to an input/ output terminal such that a desired data chip may be positioned on a fixed access plane, the combination comprising:

a cell "including two side members pivotally associated at one extremitythereof, a deck containing a plurality of tabbed data chips, means for biasing said side members of said cell such that said data chips are fixedly held thereby, means for spreading said side members such that said data'chips are released,

means operable to hold said data chips after said side members are spread, means operable on said tabs to isolate a selected data chip, and means for positioning one extremity of said selected data chip on said access plane. 3. In a data storage and retrieval system wherein information is stored on data chips which are contained in a plurality of cells which may be selectively transported to an input/ output terminal such that a desired data chip may be positioned on a fixed access plane, the combination comprising:

a cell including two side members pivotally associated at one extremity thereof, a deck containing a pluralityJof data chips separated by tabbed spacers in said cell, means for biasing said side members of said cell such that said data chips and tabbed spacers are fixedly held thereby, pinch slots in each of said side members,

means operable with said pinch slots for selectively applying pressure to said deck, means for spreading said side members such that said data chips and tabbed spacers are released, means operable on said tabbed spacers to isolate a selected data chip, and means for positioning one extremity of said selected data chip on said access plane. 4. In a data storage and retrieval system wherein information is stored on data chips which are contained in a plurality of cells which may be selectively transported to an input/output terminal such that a desired data chip may be positioned on a fixed access plane, the combination comprising: 7

a cell including two side members pivotally associated at one extremity thereof,

a deck containing a plurality of tabbed data chips in said cell,

means for biasing said side members of said cell such that said data chips are fixedly held thereby,

pinch slots in each of said side members,

means operable with said pinch slots for selectively applying pressure to said deck, I means for spreading said side members such that said data chips are released, means operable on said tabs to isolate'a selected data chip, and

means for positioning one extremity of said selected data chip on said access plane.

5. In a data storage and retrieval system wherein information is stored on data chips which are contained in a plurality of cells which may be selectively transported to an input/output terminal such that a desired data chip may be positioned on a fixed access plane, the combination comprising:

a cell including two side members pivotally associated at one extremity thereof, a deck containing a plurality of data chips separated by tabbed spacers in said cell,

means for biasing said side members of said cell such that said data chips and tabbed spacers are fixedly held thereby,

means for spreading said side members such that said data chips and tabbed spacers are released, means operable to hold said data chips and tabbe spacers after said side members are spread. tab spreaders operable on said tabbed spacers to isolate a selected data chip; and means for positioning one extremity of said selected data chip on said access plane.

6. In a data storage and retrieval system wherein information is stored on data chips which are contained in a plurality of cells which may be selectively transported to an input/ output terminal such that a desired data chip may be positioned on afixed access plane, the combination comprising:

a cell including two side members pivotally associated at one extremity thereof,

a deck containing a plurality of data chip's separated by tabbed spacers in said cell,

means for biasing said side members of said cells such I that said data chips and tabbed spacers are fixedly held thereby,

pinch slots in each of said side members, A means operable with said pinch slots for selectively applying pressure to said deck,

means for spreading said side members such that said data chips and tabbed spacers are released, means operable on said tabbed spacers to isolate a selected data chip, and

means for positioning one extremity of said selected data chip on said access plane. 7. In a data storage and retrieval system wherein information is storcd on data chips which are contained in a plurality of cells which may be selectively transported to an input/ output terminal such that a desired data chip may be positioned on a fixed access plane, the combina- .iacell including two L- that 'said data chipsandftahbed spacersiare ii redlyr held thereby, v

' xheans for spreading I V d'atachipsand tabbed-spacersare released) neans operable to :hold said data chips and" spacers after-said side ni'embers'are spread, I

said side mernhers such that said tahspreadrs operable on staidt abbed spacers'to isolate a selected-data chip, a d V air jet means-operable to position one extremity of said I f selected data chip o'n said access? plane.

[8}, In a data storage and retrieval 3 systie'n wherein Y information is stored on data chips which are contained in a" plurality, oflcells which may" he selectively transported tq an input/ output terminalsuch thatv audesire d data chip tion comprisingz z c I at.onelextremityfthereof, r

" a deck containing a plurality of d'atac chips separated .20"

side members pivotallyassociatedti' {means forfbiasiiigf said side' rnembers lo f cell siuch .jtion comprisingz I .Jtlbi spreader 'rneansoperahlefonflsaid taboed spacers 'to isolate arselected data chip, and

airjetrh'ansoperableto prositionfone extremity of said 1 selecjted'data chip jon-saidaccessplanei 9. In a'jdata storage and retrieva'l system wherein inst formation is stored -015i fdata chips which are" contained in 1a plurality of "cells which maybe selectively transported tto an input/output 'terrninalsuch 'that a desired data chip' may be positioned on a fixed access plane, the combinaa.v cell including two "side. mernbers pivotally associated flat one 'extremity thereof, f I

fdeck containing; a' plurality of f d'ata-chips: separated f "by tabbed spacers in-i's aid cell arranged such thatwsaid r a V "15 maybe positioned on a fixed access =plane, thejcombrna V 'sidemefr nbers everywhere over1ap said datachips and'tabbedspacers," Y

in'ch slots ii each of saidside tnienlhers, 7

oller meansfoperable-i with said-pinch slotsj'for selec- I tiv'ely applying pressure to said deck 1 jda'tachips andfiabbed,spacei s' arereleased, I

means operable: with saidfpinch' slots for selectively applying pressure to said? deck,

means for spreading said, side mernbers such that; said 130 to isolate a sele'ct'ed.data-chjp and elect'ed datach ipfonv saidaccess planelf a No references cited mca'ris for'biasing sardc 'side' meniber's of said cell such meansfori'spre'adingsaid side m einbers such thatlsjaid. tab spreading"meansfoperable on-fsaicl tabbed -vspaceris 'rjetr'r'l'eans' operable' opo'sltion one ektrernity of said 7 

1. IN A DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM WHEREIN INFORMATION IS STORED ON DATA CHIPS WHICH ARE CONTAINED IN A PLURALITY OF CELLS WHICH MAY BE SELECTIVELY TRANSPORTED TO AN INPUT/OUTPUT TERMINAL SUCH THAT A DESIRED DATA CHIPS MAY BE POSITIONED ON A FIXED ACCESS PLANE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A CELL INCLUDING TWO SIDE MEMBERS PIVOTALLY ASSOCIATED AT ONE EXTREMITY THEREOF, A DECK CONTAINING A PLURALITY OF DATA CHIPS SEPARATED BY TABBED SPACERS IN SAID CELL, MEANS FOR BIASING SAID SIDE MEMBERS OF SAID CELL SUCH THAT SAID DATA CHIPS AND TABBED SPACERS ARE FIXEDLY HELD THEREBY, MEANS FOR SPREADING SAID SIDE MEMBERS SUCH THAT SAID DATA CHIPS AND TABBED SPACERS ARE RELEASED; MEANS OPERABLE TO HOLD SAID DATA CHIPS AND TABBED SPACERS AFTER SAID MEMBERS ARE SPREAD, MEANS OPERABLE ON SAID TABBED SPACERS TO ISOLATE A SELECTED DATA CHIP, AND MEANS FOR POSITIONING ONE EXTREMITY OF SAID SELECTED DATA CHIP ON SAID ACCESS PLANE. 